Overcoming the Anxiety and Fear of Starting a Business
Starting my journey as an entrepreneur has not only challenged me professionally but also to deepen my faith. Talking with a dear friend over the weekend about our journeys through faith and how crippling fear and anxiety can be, even with faith—compelled me to step outside my comfort zone. I decided to share my personal journey of navigating uncertainty through faith, hoping my experiences might offer encouragement to others facing similar challenges.
The Beginning
When I first felt the tug on my heart to start a business, I was equal parts excited and terrified. I prayed often, asking God if I was hearing Him right, if I was just chasing something unrealistic, or if he had just sent a message to the wrong person. “Surely you have to know someone more qualified than me.” The anxiety came, and still comes, in waves — late at night when the “what ifs” grow loud, or in the quiet moments when doubt whispers, “Who are you to try this?”
Despite the relentless cycle of excitement and fear, I find myself standing at the edge of the unknown, wrestling with insecurities that surface each time I take a new step forward, especially as I write this, knowing it will eventually be “out there” for everyone to see. Yet, in these moments, when fear threatens to paralyze me, I can look to my faith and remember that courage isn’t the absence of anxiety, but the willingness to move through it anyway, trusting that God, through His promises, is on the other side waiting. I have begun to see how God uses these vulnerable places—those late-night worries and quiet doubts—to draw me closer to Him and remind myself that my journey is not defined by the opinions of others or the obstacles ahead, but by the faithfulness of the One who called me. That trust has become my anchor, giving me the strength to face fears honestly and keep taking the next step, even when the path is uncertain.
Facing the Walls of Fear
Starting a business isn’t just about setting up a website or writing out a plan — it’s about confronting fear inside your own mind. For me, it has the fear of failure. It is the nagging thought that I just don’t have what it takes to see something through in order to be successful.
I often doubt whether I’m ready for this path, especially when facing rejection or silence from potential collaborators. Each time has been discouraging, making me struggle with doubts about my worth and choices. Yet, even when self-doubt tries to overshadow my resolve, I remember that courage means moving forward anyway—choosing to believe that God’s purpose for me is bigger than my fears. Each small act of stepping out of my comfort zone or choosing faith over apprehension, chips away at those walls of intimidation, reminding me that my worth and capability aren’t defined by my own limitations but by the One who called me to this path.
As I have prayed through the moments of rejection and self-doubt, I have realized that these are not moments of punishment. They are lessons. Every door that closes redirects me toward the one God actually wants me to walk through. Every “no” is a refining fire, teaching me perseverance and humility. Instead of seeing rejection as failure, I choose to see it as proof that I am putting myself out there, which, and those who know me well can vouch, is absolutely terrifying to me. After all, I can’t be told “no” if I’m not being brave enough to ask. I have faith that each “no”, will bring me one step closer to the right “yes.”
Shifting My Mindset
As I am working to strengthen my faith through my relationship with God, he is slowly teaching me to stop striving for perfection and instead focus on progress. He reminds me daily through His Word that my worth doesn’t come from people’s approval, but from Him.
- I am learning to break my big, overwhelming goals into small, manageable steps.
- I am celebrating the small victories, because even tiny progress is evidence of God’s faithfulness.
- I am leaning on mentors, friends, and prayer to carry me through the days when I feel like giving up.
Most importantly, I am trusting that God equips those He calls. I don’t need to have it all figured out — I just need to keep showing up, one step of obedience at a time.
A Word of Encouragement
If you’re in that same place of anxiety, staring at the mountain in front of you and feeling paralyzed, I want you to know you’re not alone. Fear is normal. Rejections and self-doubt will come. But they don’t get the final say — God does.
You don’t have to silence your fear completely to move forward. You just need to let your faith be louder than your fear.
I am learning to see God’s hand in every “no” and every obstacle. If I don’t walk through the rejection, the doubts, and the late-night tears, I won’t become the person God wants me to be.
Starting a business has been a leap of faith — not because I’m fearless, but because I’ve chosen to trust God with the outcome.
So if you’re wondering if you’re really cut out for this, take heart: God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. Take that next brave step, even if your knees are shaking. Because every step forward — especially the ones made in faith — counts.
As I move forward, I find myself more attuned to the subtle ways God encourages and guides me—even on the days when uncertainty still tries to creep in. The journey isn’t without its struggles, but each challenge now feels like another invitation to grow deeper in faith and resilience. The lessons will become the foundation for new opportunities, and I’m learning to embrace the unknown not as a threat, but as a space where God’s plans can unfold beyond what I ever imagined. Every step feels less like a test and more like an adventure—one where, no matter what comes, I know I’m guided, strengthened, and never alone.
With Love,
Rebecca
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